TV Singers Theory Lesson

Setting: ​I will be teaching a 30 minute lesson to about 20 high school students at Thompson
Valley High School. The ability level of these singers is high since they are in the top auditioned
ensemble. However, since not many students actively learn music theory over the course of
their schooling, some may struggle with this more than others. That said, I will need to create a
comfortable learning environment where students feel comfortable making mistakes, as well as
scaffold my lesson appropriately so students are provided all the basic information before
moving on.

Rationale: ​Students will focus on identifying chords within a key signature, and creating their
own parts within the structure of chords and a given melody.

Standards:
1. MU:Cr2.1.E.5a: ​Select and develop draft melodic and rhythmic ideas or motives that
demonstrate understanding of characteristic(s) of music or text(s) studied in rehearsal.
2. MU:Cr1.1.E.Ia:​ Compose and improvise ideas for melodies, rhythmic passages, and
arrangements for specific purposes that reflect characteristic(s) of music from a variety
of historical periods studied in rehearsal

Objectives: Students will be able to…

1. Given the key signature, identify the roman numerals that go with each chord with 80%
accuracy.
2. After identifying the roman numerals, identify the correct solfege syllables with at least
80% accuracy.
3. Write their own Alto, Tenor, and Bass parts with correct notes and smooth voice leading
(no parallel octaves, properly resolved chords, etc.)

Materials:
- Phone, speaker system, worksheets, pencil, whiteboard, markers

Anticipatory Set: (2 minutes)

Engage & Frame:
1. T will play All I Want for Christmas Is You while students enter the class
2. T will hand out worksheets as the song is playing

Activities/Procedure: (30 minutes)

Acquire:
1. T will guide Sts through first few chord identifications on the worksheet
Elaborate:
1. Sts will finish the rest of the chord identifications
2. Sts will work on the second half of the worksheet while T walks around helping
Memory Strengthening:
 1. Sts will work in groups to check each other when finished with voice leading exercise.

Assessment:
Formative:
1. After students hand in their worksheets, T will evaluate them based on above criteria.
Summative:
1. As students are working on worksheets, T will walk around classroom and help students
if they have questions.

Closure: (1 minute)
1. Sts will hand in worksheets as they transition to group work and arranging.